Need advice on dealing with FIL and smoking
I’m feeling like a terrible person, but I’m really stressed out about my FIL visiting my newborn baby. He smokes constantly. Like if we go out to dinner, he has to smoke before getting in the car, then before we go into a restaurant, then immediately after dinner is over.
He’s also a kisser. He kisses me on the cheek when greeting me and when saying goodbye. Since I’ve been pregnant, the smell of smoke on his breath and skin has been overwhelming to me to the extent that I have to hold my breath or move away when he comes too close. He also coughs, hacks, and blows his nose a lot due to the smoking.
He plans on being present when our baby is born and the thought of it is really worrying me. I don’t want my brand new baby being exposed to that smell or smelling like an ashtray. I also don’t want him kissing or coughing on my baby. On the other hand, I feel bad for feeling this way because my FIL is my husband’s only living parent and I want him to spend time with his grandchild.
My husband agrees that there should be ground rules about washing up, no smoking right before holding the baby, and no kissing the baby, but we’re not sure how to communicate this to my FIL. I don’t want him to feel singled out, but he’s the only smoker in the family. Anybody experience this or have advice on a good way to address it?
Achieve your health goals from period to parenting.